Thursday, December 25, 2014

This was a great week of stocking up, especially for baking items and things we needed for the baby, like diapers and 'chewing' foods. I was also able to pick up some needed items for Christmas baking and dinner. Here's how the week went down...

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

I look forward to Thanksgiving week every year, not only because of the time together with family, and the delicious food, but for the AWESOME deals there are to be had while shopping!!! Here are the amazing deals I scored...

Friday, November 21, 2014

This was another AWESOME week of deals! I have a feeling that I'm going to go over budget this month -- I kinda forgot about the Black Friday deals at the drug stores next week, so we'll see... Here's what we picked up this week, which included my Thanksgiving meals items...

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Instead of spending your money on a portable white noise machine, just use your cell phone. My husband downloaded music we have saved on our computer (mostly classic country) onto the card in his phone, for FREE, and Howard LOVES it! Howard hated the lullaby music that came with his swing, so one night when he was fussy and wouldn't sleep Joe played him the Statler Brothers on his phone, instant quiet, and moments later he was sound asleep! This has also worked when we are in the car, or out running errands. He gets fussy, Joe pulls out his phone, picks one of Howard's 'playlists,' lowers the volume, and tucks it in beside him in his carseat -- and it works everytime! You could easily get a lullaby CD to put on your computer and then onto your phone if your little one prefers it, there is probably even a cheap app for that! So save some cash, and use the music on your cell to quiet your little one, plus it's one less thing to carry around!

Our portable diaper changing pad, has a little pouch for dirty diaper bags. These are totally AWESOME, as you can forget about a really nasty diaper that you have tied up and tossed into your trunk for at least 3 weeks, and it won't smell! Don't ask me how I know that ;-) Anyway, those little bags are expensive to replace, even if you buy them at Wal-mart. So, one week while strolling the aisles of our Dollar Tree, I noticed these doggie bags -- same size, different color, and just as durable, and smell-containing! These do come with carriers, which you could hook onto your diaper bag if you don't have a changing pad that has a built-in pouch. But three rolls for a $1 is a third of the price that Wal-mart wanted for the name brand ones -- definitely money saved!

Pictured above is a sling-type carrier I bought (using a promo code of course), it is also one that had I looked online I could have found a tutorial and made for even less! The internet is a magical place filled to the brim with all sorts of diy's projects, including carriers, clothing, quilts, blankets, sheets, curtains, mobiles, diaper bags, and changing pad covers. If you are 'crafty,' even just a little bit, you should be able to make some of these items CUSTOM to you and your little one for CHEAP! Even if you only make one thing, you've saved money!

After you've built that killer registry, and had an awesome shower(s), then it's time to use those gift cards and cash you received as shower gifts to make the purchases that you still need, but that no one got you. I held onto those things in an envelope in my purse, and waited until I was 36 weeks pregnant to go shopping. Some might say that is crazy, but I recommend it for 2 reasons, 1 - you make sure all your showers are over, so you won't end up with duplicates of things you don't need 2 of, and 2 - you have something to do while those last 4 weeks (or more) creep by. I don't know about everyone else, but by that point I was just ready to be done with pregnancy and hold my new little one in my arms instead of my stomach. Making returns, shopping for needed items, and finding surprising cute items on sale gave me something to look forward to, and kept my mind off the wait-game. You save money by not receiving something you've prematurely bought, and you stay sane while you wait for your bundle of joy to (finally) make his/her appearance!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

I had been warned by the older mothers that I know not to register for clothes or blankets. We are friends with a LOT of older and middle-aged woman, many of whom know how to knit, or crochet. Needless to say, we received a huge amount of blankets, like about a dozen heavy weight, and probably 2 dozen light weight! Needless to say, I'm glad I didn't register for more. I also didn't register for clothes, because I was told that if people see something cute, they're going to buy it whether you registered for it or not. I was also blessed to receive 5 large trash bags of used clothes to go through from two different families. This has made up most of Howard's wardrobe. We received a few outfits as shower gifts, some the Christmas before he was born, and some more in the hospital after he arrived. Howard has had plenty of clothes since the day he was born, and I didn't even register for any! So, when you make your registry, don't register for things you will probably get a LOT of (blankets), or things you can get for free or very cheap at the thrift stores (clothes), register for all those other needs!

When you start your baby registry, it's a very exciting time, one filled with hope. You hope that you get everything you register for, and more, because baby presents are fun! It's also very easy to get carried away, and register for every cute baby thing that you see. Do NOT do that. When people look at your registry, they want to see what things you NEED. Shower guests are helpful that way. They want to buy you something that you need, and can use, not something that you will realize you don't actually need and end up returning. And, don't just register for things that you will need right away, go ahead and put that booster feeding chair, and covertible car seat on there. Some people, especially other moms, know that those things will be helpful for you to have and not have to purchase yourself later. I chose my registry very carefully. Did I get everything on it, no. Did some people just go out and buy stuff they liked, yes. But over all I ended up with most of the things I needed, and only had to return a few things to buy other needed items. Here's some suggesttions for your registry in no particuallar order...

Diapers in various sizes, Wipes, and Diaper Cream OR Cloth Diaper Covers and Inserts

Crib/Bassinet/Pack and Play (whatever you start with, remember that eventually you will need a crib, babies do tend to get bigger you know...)

Crib/Bassinet/Pack and Play Sheets

a Swing or Bouncer of some kind (so thankful for our swing, it's the only thing Howard will sleep in, however, we only have about 10 more lbs until we have to move him into the crib, so not looking forward to that)

some Swaddles or receiving blankets

a heavy blanket or two

Car seat of some kind (some start out with the snap in base kind and then go to a convertible, some start with the convertible with a newborn insert, your choice)

Clothes - I prefer the zip sleepers cotton or fuzzy depending on the time of year, and onesies long or short sleeved, with leggings/shorts. I don't like two piece outfits for little ones since their stomach ends up hanging out everytime you pick them. But once they get mobile around 6 months, it does make them easier to diaper. Howard was born in April, and I kept him in a cotton sleeper during the day (because of the AC), and a fuzzy sleeper at night for the first month or so. And put him in his cute onesies when we would go to the drs or out to run errands. However you choose to do it, your going to want at least 7 sets of day clothes, and 7 for night. This allows for diaper blowouts, and massive spit ups (neither of which we had a whole lot of), without having to do laundry more than once or twice a week.

Socks/Crib Shoes

Bathing items: soap, lotion, powder, wash clothes - look for ones that are more substantial, towels, and a tub if you want (we put Howard on a rolled up adult towel in our tub until we got his bath sponge, which all of us LOVE)

Once you reach your third trimester, your OB will probably recommend that you take a birthing class, especially if you are a first time mother. Since it was my first time giving birth, I agreed that this was a good thing to do. However, the class she recommended at the hospital would have run us about $150, which we simply did NOT have. I talked with older moms that my husband and I are friends with, and found out that the class use to be free! That figures. So, I started to look into other options. There were several other nearby hospitals that offered classes for FREE, and online. That was the road we took, as I was still experiencing severe morning (all day) sickness. This provided my husband and I with all the information we needed without having to leave our home. I ended up having a c-section, which I hadn't planned on, but still felt knowledgeable about thanks to the online class we completed. Another FREE option was the health department. They offered classes one day a week for 6 weeks. SO, to save some serious cash, research your options, sometimes you can still get what you need (what ever that may be) for cheaper or FREE!

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

We had a GREAT start to the month! We were able to stock up on a lot of needed items before Winter hits and my income goes away until Spring, but managed to not spend a whole lot out of pocket! Here's what we ended up with...

Friday, November 7, 2014

October ended up being a GREAT month, I was able to get a lot of needed items at great deals, including snacks, produce, meat, and diary. I was also able to stock up on things like vitamins, and diapers. Plus we had plenty of candy for the trick-or-treaters. And, we even had a little money left! Here's the run down for the month...

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Libraries are filled with tons of FREE resources! I was able to check out loads of baby books, and some videos to gain the baby knowledge I was craving as a pregnant woman, for FREE! They also have a wall FULL of pamphlets, including some with information about classes and resources that the Hospital and Health Department offer. Once Howard gets a little bigger, we can check out books for him to read, as well as children's videos, and audio books. We can also reference the pamphlet wall for fun FREE local activities for us to do as a family. So, to save money, make sure you take advantage of all the FREE resources your library has to offer!

I use coupons for almost everything I buy, or at least as much as I can. Baby necessities are no different. When I found out I was pregnant, I waited until the 20 week sonogram, and then I started stocking up. I shopped at CVS for diapers, since I could combine manufacturer coupons with CVS coupons, and get ECB's back for some super cheap jumbo packs. I picked up wipes at Giant combining sales with doubled coupons. And, I was able to pick up most of Howard's toiletry items at Target using the infamous $2/2 Up and Up Baby Items coupon. I could get baby powder for less than a $1, baby wash for about $0.49, and diaper creams for about $1.49. Those are AWESOME prices for those needed baby items! Needless to say, I stocked up, saved money, and haven't had to shop for any of these items since Howard was born. Couponing for the win!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Going along with Rewards Programs is Newsletters. Signing up for FREE newsletters not only gets you personalized information sent right to your email, but usually also promo codes, samples, and coupons -- all of which can save you some major cash! There are plenty of baby-related sites to sign up at, my favorite are Huggies, Pampers, The Bump, and Everyday Family. Throughout my pregnancy I was sent information about the development of the baby, symptoms I might notice about my pregnancy, advice to help with pregnancy symptoms (like muscle aches and nausea), as well as promo codes for things like baby leggings, a nursing pillow, and plenty of good, old-fashion coupons! Not only did signing up for newsletters bring the FREE reference material to me, in my very preggo-comfy PJ's, but it saved me money with promo codes and coupons!

Even before I was pregnant I had signed up for all sorts of rewards programs, including Huggies, Pampers, and Disney. Each program has it's own benefits. The programs are FREE, and are easy to use. Simply enter the codes found inside wipes and diaper packages online to earn your points. Then you can spend your points on coupons, toys, sweepstakes entries, or a wide variety of other rewards. Disney rewards will be great once Howard gets a little older. You enter those online as well (from purchased Disney movies), and then they can be redeemed for more Disney movies. All three offer free bonus points periodically online or in their newsletters, which is always nice. I also signed up for a FREE rewards program through our insurance. I entered the dates that I went to the doctors for my prenatal check-ups, and now I enter the dates I take Howard for his wellness visits. So far we have earned several FREE gift cards to Old Navy, as well as a free thermometer, a wheel toy that hooks to a table or high chair, and a baby dental care kit. So join those FREE rewards programs to save money by earning FREE stuff!

About Me

I have been happily married to my husband Joe for 9 years now. Our son, Howard was born in April 2014, and he is our everything! We are the caretakers of a museum and volunteer there regularly as well. We are trying to get our debt under control, while living a happy life. I share my simple, frugal journey, including deals, recipes, and DIY's, through my neighborhood here!